by 115-1073096938 » Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:29 am
To be honest, at the start of this season i didn't know what to expect. I'd seen my team win the biggest prize in world football, i'd seen them lift the champions league trophy. Two of the best days of my life. However i also saw one of the worst league campaignes i've seen for a good 10 years or so. We looked disorganised at times and we often didn't look like a team capable of doing anything.
During the summer i expected a centre half and a right winger, we signed Zenden (a left winger) and Sissoko a centre mid. We got the goalkeeper we needed, i didn't personally think Reina was the answer, to be honest, i've never been a great judge of keepers, i was completely wrong and am happy about that. However, what i did want to see was at LEAST cover for Sami and Jamie and a quality winger.
I also believed Crouchie wasn't what we need, even though i rated him i didn't see how he'd fit in. I didn't realise he'd bring the best out of Gerrard and again on that front its hats off to Rafa.
We started the season early in Europe against some poor opposition which we struggled against in a couple of games. To be fair, a lack of sharpness had something to do with it.
Then came the first league game against Boro. To be honest i didn't know what to expect. The game itself was a strange one, i can't remember a Liverpool team that had so many clear cut chances in one game yet failed to score. Straight away the problem was the lack of goals. Defensively we didn't conceed a chance i don't think and we completely dominated the game. That pattern then went into the Sunderland, Spurs and Man Utd games. However i was wetting myself with anticipation as i could see a team that was completely dominating games and creating loads of chances.
Then came a small bad run consisting of Palace, Fulham and Chelsea. We looked woeful and deservedly got stick, however some of it was over the top. The amount of doom merchants that came out was astonishing. I then posted a thread saying i couldn't see much wrong, i thought we were one right winger away from being able to consistently challenge Chelsea. We then hit form, partially down to Gerrard playing out wide, but mainly down to the team playing as a unit, playing to there ability levels and looking like a TEAM as apose to 11 individuals.
This brings me to my next point, we're now in January after an excellent run, the centre half we wanted is now here, although we don't yet know his quality its a relief knowing that we don't have to use Traore if Sami or Jamie get unlucky with injury or suspension, however we still lack that right winger... Or do we? Now, many will scoff at this as its insane to suggest this, but maybe Steven Gerrard's best position is EXACTLY where he is now. I've seen the lad countless times against the likes of Vieira, Keane etc. He's having his best season he's ever had for us playing on the wing. He simply doesn't have Keane or Vieira's or even Alonso's for that matter, tactical ability. He can't dictate games consistently. However, where he's currently playing, he doesn't have to. He is always an inspiration to the side with his drive and alround game, yet sometimes he can be ineffective playing in the middle in that he can look good without being productive.
Look at him internationally, he's played his best games outside the middle of the park, its strange to suggest this i know, i've thought about it alot myself, i'm not saying i definately believe this, but the performances of him and the team certainly back up this arguement.
Is it really a right winger we need or a central midfielder? I mean can you imagine Ballack in there with Alonso, Gerrard and Kewell? Mouth watering. What i like about Gerrard out wide is he does everything from that position, lets Xabi dictate the game, Finnan provides the width and he seems to cover more than one position. He's also a massive goal threat out there, more so than when he plays centrally.
We aren't far away from Chelsea, infact i think if we had a top class striker in this current side with another quality centre mid to partner Alonso we'd keep the balance and we'd be a better team. What i'm scared of is moving Gerrard centrally and losing the balance we clearly possess at the minute. We need another striker, my instinct would be one with pace to use an option, but the most important thing is ability. I mean, Fowler for example, i'd love to see him brought back, he has the quality to link up with others and score goals.
Can we Challenge Chelsea? This season? No, we can't to be fair. Well, nothing is impossible, but its unlikely. Can we send out a statement to the premier league and Chelsea that we will be serious contenders next season, to be honest, i think we already have. For me, we're now ahead of Manchester United and Arsenal despite what fools like Charlie "i don't know what i'm talking about" Nicholas say.
Jose Mourinho has ALOT of respect for our club, manager and players. He knows Chelsea aren't going to have it all there own way despite there money. Mourinho knows that if Chelsea do slip up, we won't. That pressure will force them to slip up at some point, maybe not this year... but it will happen. Mourinho is a world class manager, one of the top 3 or 4 in the world, however i believe we have THE best.
Liverpool will continue to improve over this season and next... the question is, will Chelsea? I genuinely believe we'll see two equal sides next season, the season after, regardless of their money and financial clout, i believe we'll overtake them.
YNWA!